Book Reviews – Page 17

Leonardo’s Swans – by Karen Essex

Leonardo’s Swans fits into the historical fiction drama. It is based on the lives of two sisters – Isabella and Beatrice – who actually existed. Both were alive in Italy around the time of the Renaissance.

The sisters were born into a very rich family. The girls were each betrothed when Isabella was six-years-old and Beatrice was five-years-old to men they had not met. The entire story is presented from the viewpoint of Isabella, or the viewpoint of Beatrice.

Mrs. Ballard’s Parrots – by Arne Svenson

Mrs. Ballard’s Parrots is a unique art book of photographs taken by Mrs. Ballard. She had all these birds, mostly parrots of different kinds. During the 1970’s, Mrs. Ballard made costumes for her birds, dressed them up, and took photos.

She made entire scenes for these costumed birdies, including props and backdrops (many of which are quite elaborate.) I find it astounding that her birds allowed her to dress them and that they would stand still for the photos. She must have trained them well, and given them their favorite treats as a reward.

Book Reviews, fiction 0

The Space Between Us – by Thrity Umrigar

The Space Between Us is set in India. In addition to being about the kinds of troubles that only women experience, (a world of difference from what men’s lives are like), it focuses on the lives of three particular women. Men have more freedom and opportunities than women do.

Sera is a wealthy woman. Bhima is her servant. Maya is the granddaughter of Bhima. The book defines the “space between” the lives of women who have servants, and the women who are servants. It explores the views held in India about the separation of different classes.

Book Reviews, fiction 0

Hey Nostradamus! – by Douglas Coupland

Douglas Coupland is good at creating bizarre situations that happen to characters that seem very real. In Hey Nostradamus!, Coupland gives you a story that requires readers to think about things beyond the events currently unfolding on the pages in front of them.

The story focuses on a fictional act of gun violence. The massacre in the book is not based on real events (so far as I can tell). The reader knows that the events in the book did not really happen. Despite this, the story is terrifying in many ways because gun violence is something that keeps happening, over and over again, all across America.

Book Reviews, non fiction 0

The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill – by Mark Bittner

Bird lovers, and people who have birds as pets, will love this story! It is a true story. It’s full title is: The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill: A Love Story with Feathers. The book was written by Mark Bittner, who was homeless and directionless when the story started. It seems he is looking for a religion, as well as some work that is meaningful. He also wants to fall in love.

Book Reviews, fiction 0

All Families are Psychotic – by Douglas Coupland

The title of this book, all by itself, screams out to people who come from dysfunctional families. I happened to start reading All Families are Psychotic right as the holiday season was starting. The story has nothing to do with the Christmas (or other holidays), but somehow, that felt like the perfect time to read it. I found myself relating to the title very much.

Book Reviews, horror 0

Everything’s Eventual: 14 Dark Tales – by Stephen King

Everything’s Eventual: 14 Dark Tales, by Stephen King, is a collection of his short stories. If you are a fan of King’s work, you will likely enjoy at least some, if not all, of the stories it contains. A few of the stories reminded me of his Dark Tower series.

The cover of the book instantly sets the mood. It is a pencil drawing of a table at a restaurant. The water glass has a red drop of liquid slowly falling down to the bottom of it. Everything else on the cover looks normal, except for that red drop. Could it be blood?

Book Reviews, horror 0

Vampyrrhic – by Simon Clark

Vampyrrhic is scary, and creepy, and the type of book that would make a great movie. The story is about four people in the town of Leppington (which is in England). In the book, Leppington was founded by a family of the same name, who had a dark and mysterious history.

Once, the town was prosperous, and many people were employed at the local slaughterhouse that sits in the middle of town. But now, the town is past its prime, and no one is happy to be there.

Book Reviews, fiction 0

Pompeii – by Robert Harris

Pompeii is a work of historical fiction, which I really enjoyed. It is about the Roman town of Pompeii, the surrounding towns, and some of the people who lived there. Those familiar with history will go into the book knowing that Mt. Vesuvius is about to blow up and cover Pompeii with ashes, killing everyone who is there.

The book takes place in four days: two days before the volcanic eruption, and the two days during the eruption.